Stage set for second phase of polling in Assam

With fate of 48 candidates sealed in the first phase of LS polls in Assam, the stage is set for the crucial and decisive second phase in eight seats.

With fate of 48 candidates sealed in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Assam's six constituencies, the stage is set for the crucial and decisive second phase in eight seats.

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The constituencies going to polls in the second phase on April 26, along with Moriani assembly bypoll, are Karimganj, Silchar, Autonomous District, Nagaon, Kaliabor, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur.

Campaigning was badly hampered in almost all six constituencies that went to polls earlier due to torrential rains. However, the Meteorological Department has predicted sunny days ahead.

The second phase, which would decide the fate of 68 candidates, covers politically sensitive areas from south to central and upper Assam as well as hill districts even as the choice of electorates varies there considerably.

Two constituencies of south Assam, Karimganj and Silchar, are traditional Congress bastions, but of late BJP has made inroads.

The prestigious Silchar seat in particular is likely to witness a straight contest between sitting Congress member Sontosh Mohan Dev and former MP and BJP nominee Kabindra Purakayastha.